Tsmoki-Minsk Survive A Late Scare

Sharp-shooter Aliaksandr Kudrautsau was 5 of 6 from behind the arc, good for 23 points for Tsmoki-Minsk

Tsmoki-Minsk claimed successive home victories in EuroChallenge Group G after surviving a late scare from visiting SLUC Nancy to ride out 78-71 winners.

Both teams headed into the contest with a win and a loss to their name, but fans inside Minsk Arena left for home knowing their team took a step in the right direction and towards qualification with this hard fought success.

The decision of the hosts to add to their roster with centre Ater Majok and playmaker Nigel Munson paid dividends as the duo celebrated a winning debut.

That was mainly down to the hot-hand of Aliaksandr Kudrautsau who sunk a super five of six attempts from long-range on his way to a game-high 23 points.

There had been little to separate the teams during the first half, but an inside score just before the interval, and a triple immediately after it by Kudrautsau put Minsk in control at 42-34.

They still held a healthy 72-65 advantage with three minutes remaining, but the visitors rallied and when Marcellus Sommerville scored a three-pointer with 19 seconds left, it made it a one-shot game.

However the hosts held their nerve from the free-throw line and wrapped things up with the last basket of the contest.

Sommerville finished with 15 points and eight rebounds for the losing team.